Meeting Prince William at Kensington Palace
It’s not every day that you receive an invitation to Kensington Palace, let alone the opportunity to meet Prince William. But before I get into that unforgettable moment, let me take you back to where this journey began.
In June 2021, I was honoured to be nominated for the Diana Award, the highest accolade recognising individuals for their contributions to social action, diversity, and humanitarianism. Out of 450 nominees from 2020 and 2021, only 20 individuals worldwide were selected to receive the distinguished Diana Legacy Award. I’m proud to say that I was one of those 20 recipients - and the only honouree from the island of Ireland.
As part of this incredible journey, I joined my fellow changemakers in a week-long development programme focused on personal growth - covering everything from leadership and media training to goal setting and stress management.
When I first got the call from the Diana Award team, I knew it was an important event - something special was bound to happen. However, there was no official indication that we’d be meeting the Prince himself. Though I had a hunch, given that past Diana Legacy Award recipients had met him, it didn’t make the moment any less surreal when it happened.
The Anticipation
The lead-up to the event was a mix of excitement and nerves. Having seen Prince William visit my university campus a few months earlier, I couldn’t believe that this time, I would not only be in the same room as him but also have the chance to speak to him directly.
The atmosphere at Kensington Palace added to the excitement - it was an elegant setting, with a kind of calm that only heightened the anticipation but was also strange for me as an Irishman.
Aodhán Roberts inside Kensington Palace.
A Memorable Entrance
As the doors opened and Prince William stepped into the room, I was the first person he spoke to, as I was closest to the entrance. Knowing I’d likely be in that position, I tried to prepare for the conversation, but nothing could truly prepare me for the experience of meeting him. His handshake was firm and he appeared to be a genuinely nice man.
What struck me most was his attentiveness. As I introduced myself and talked about my work he seemed fully engaged. During our conversation, I highlighted the importance of creative and safe spaces, discussed the arts' role in fostering community connection and resilience and discussed my journey and experiences.
Representing my community as an Irishman in that setting felt significant, and I wanted to make sure I used the moment to shed light on the positive work happening back home in Derry and beyond.
Aodhán Roberts speaks to Prince William inside Kensington Palace.
Learning From Others
Surrounded by fellow changemakers - each one making incredible contributions in their own right - I felt inspired by their stories. Two people, in particular, left a lasting impression on me.
Diana Chao’s story was both heart-wrenching and inspiring. Having been diagnosed with bipolar disorder at just 13 and facing the immense struggles of mental health stigma as a first-generation Chinese-American, she founded Letters to Strangers. This global initiative, which uses anonymous letter-writing to connect and support those dealing with mental health issues, has reached over 35,000 people. Her resilience in the face of adversity, combined with her drive to help others through one of life’s most challenging battles, left me deeply moved.
Then there was Lottie Leach, whose experience with depression and an eating disorder led her to take action. After surviving a suicide attempt, she became a passionate advocate for destigmatising mental health discussions. Lottie’s work in her school and community, where she organised events like a 24-hour danceathon that raised over £3,000 for the mental health charity Mind, showed me the power of openness and the impact one person can have in starting conversations that change lives. Her bravery in sharing her own struggles, particularly in breaking down mental health taboos among young men, was incredibly inspiring.
Hearing stories like Diana's and Lottie’s reminded me of the incredible range of issues my fellow recipients are addressing, and how powerful collective action can be. See all the Diana Legacy Award recipients here.
Prince William pictured with the Diana Award Legacy Recipients in the grounds of Kensington Palace.
A New Perspective
Reflecting on the day, the experience reaffirmed something important to me: I’m on the right track. The encouragement from fellow awardees reminded me that, while the journey can be challenging, it’s worth pushing harder. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day hurdles, but this encounter gave me fresh motivation to continue advocating for my community and the causes I believe in.
Key Takeaways
One of the biggest takeaways from meeting Prince William and the other changemakers was the value of collaboration. We all have different strengths and areas of focus, but when we come together, the impact we can make is so much greater. Another lesson I took away is the importance of persistence - things don’t always change overnight, but with steady progress, the results will come.
Connecting It to My Broader Journey
This experience connects deeply with the work I’ve been doing in Northern Ireland, especially in the creative and journalistic sectors. Meeting someone like Prince William, who himself carries the weight of immense responsibility, reminded me that leadership often comes with its own set of challenges. But it’s in these moments - when we push through the challenges - that we find new ways to thrive.
Find out more about me here.
